Big choices coming for local airport

Posted:
11/27/2012 06:55:34 PM MST

Reporter-Herald Editorial

When Allegiant Air announced its intention to end its service at the Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport, local leaders knew Northern Colorado residents would lose out on an amenity that saved time and money for those who could choose local air service to Las Vegas.

Now, those same leaders are starting to come to grips with the direct budget ramifications that will be facing the two cities that own the airport.

Each passenger who flew on the commercial flight out of the airport generated a fee for the facility that was used to fund various improvements -- and as matching funds for the federally funded projects that could not get done solely on the local dime.

Without those fees, the cities of Loveland and Fort Collins will have to come up with nearly $100,000 each in the coming months to pay for upcoming projects. The numbers get worse looking a year into the future, when the deficit will climb past $800,000 for each city.

The harsh reality is that it is unlikely that any but a niche carrier will return passenger service to Loveland and Fort Collins in the near future. Because most airlines won't want to siphon passengers away from Denver International Airport down the road, don't expect to see Southwest or Frontier jets on the tarmac offering regular departures and arrivals.

However, there are more options than just a larger carrier. The smaller, boutique carriers have seen the demand for flights from the local population and might be tempted to make a limited operation in the market.

Barring that, however, residents should expect to see and hear about the difficult choices that might need to be made, whether it is about the use of property at the airport site or construction of safety systems to help manage the air traffic -- even if it is without the promise of scheduled service returning here.

The Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport is an asset that many communities would love to have; but the asset will likely require an investment in tax dollars to help it create returns.